Persona, George Fry Gallery“Auric“, 2017Tracy Austin, Fashion Studio TechnicianHand dyed

Persona, George Fry Gallery

“Auric“,2017
Tracy Austin, Fashion Studio Technician
Hand dyed silk dupioni, hand dyed wool, lace, sparkle tulle, metal studs, seed beads, hoop steel

After the opening of the Faculty show, Persona, at the George Fry Gallery at NBCCD, I had a bit of introspection and thought that perhaps my work needed an explanation; That I needed to explain why my piece, “Auric” is more than just a pretty dress.

[awr-ik]
1: of, relating to, or derived from gold

2:  relating to the aura supposedly surrounding a living creature.

Auric, at face value, is an intricate and detailed outfit of authority, elegance, poise and finery. It evokes power and has regal materials, colours and qualities. It is meant to display the outer persona that I want to project to the world.

On the opposing side, it’s a binding corset with a huge cumbersome skirt; It would take skill and effort to wear, endurance to uphold and a dedication of intent to support. Auric is not only the outer image, but the inner persona that is uncomfortable, struggling and carries the weight of my outer ambitions and projections.